#9 Capital 27, Marietta 0
(MARIETTA, Ohio)-Capital University's football team, ranked No. 9 in the nation posted its third shutout in four games with a 27-0 at Marietta College in an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup Saturday in Marietta, Ohio.
The Crusaders defense ranked No. 1 in the nation has not given up a touchdown in 16 quarters to start the season, forced four Pioneer turnovers, allowed only 152 yards of offense. Senior All-American defensive back James Starks (Toledo/Toledo St. Francis) led Capital with eight tackles and forced fumble, while fellow defensive back in senior Matt Coleman (Westerville/Westerville South) and C.J. Steele (Hilliard/Bishop Watterson) each had interceptions.
Sophomore quarterback Marty Assmann (Columbus/Bishop Hartley) threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one to lead the Capital offense. Assmann finished with 228 yards passing (18-of-35), 11 yards rushing but left the game early in the fourth quarter with an injury. Junior tight end Mando Ancona (Johnstown/Northridge) caught both of Assmann's touchdown passes, while runningback Ty Parks (Minster/Minster) had a game-high 66 yards receiving and fellow running back in sophomore Matt Merritt (Cincinnati/Indian Hill) had a team-best 76 yards rushing.
Marietta managed just 68 yards passing as quarterback Dexter Hughes was 11-for-32 with a pair of interceptions, while Joe Webb had a game-high 77 yards rushing.
The only points in the first quarter came courtesy of All-American senior placekicker Matt Spitz (Xenia/Xenia) who kicked a career-long 47-yard field goal to make the score, 3-0. Capital then made it 10-0 early in the second quarter as Assmann hit Ancona (Johnstown/Northridge) on a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Sophomore Ronnie Smith (Columbus/Columbus DeSales) returned the second half kickoff 32 yards then Assmann led a five-play, 48-yard drive that he capped with a two-yard touchdown run to put Capital up, 17-0 with 12:31 left in the third quarter.
Capital went up 24-0 when Assmann and Ancona hooked up again on a three-yard throw and catch for a score, which was set up when Starks forced a fumble by Marietta running back Lamar Hunter that was recovered by sophomore Matt Heagen (New Concord/John Glenn) on the Pioneers four-yard line.
Spitz tacked on a 26-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring.
Capital is home next week to host John Carroll University for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m. at Bernlohr Stadium.